Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is not yet ready to reflect as the Hawks eye a genuine shot at the most unlikely of premierships.
After starting the season 0-5 following a 16th-place finish last year, Hawthorn will start as warm favourites for their semi-final against Port Adelaide on Friday night.
The Hawks downed the Western Bulldogs in Friday’s elimination final in stunning fashion to secure their first finals victory since capturing the third chapter of their premiership hat-trick in 2015 – when Mitchell starred on-field.
When asked if he could draw inspiration from Hawthorn’s rapid rise to the 2008 premiership, Mitchell bluntly said he had not intention of reflecting.
“This group has been outstanding at looking forward,” Mitchell said.
“We’ve been playing elimination finals for 10 weeks, really. We had a real one (against the Bulldogs).
“I was really proud of the players for dealing with the whole game… the players handled it for the most part really well.
“It’s the biggest crowd I’ve ever coached in and most of them would have played in front.”
Teenage forwards Calsher Dear and Nick Watson lit up the MCG, showing up their more experienced opponents at the other end such as Cody Weightman and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan for the Bulldogs.
Dear came of age with three goals, including a dagger to the heart of the Bulldogs in the third quarter when he nailed a tricky set shot to put Hawthorn 26 points in front.
Watson bagged a career-high four goals, capitalising when his moment came.
Mitchell was forced to work with Watson on his goal-kicking earlier in the season when he had games of 1.3 and 1.4.
Even Mitchell was impressed with how the teenagers thrived on the big stage in front of 97,828 fans – a record for an elimination final.
“I wonder if it’s the naivety of youth,” Mitchell pondered.
“I wonder if they just don’t know it’s a big deal, they don’t really know any different.”
Hawthorn could regain Will Day for their trip to Adelaide, but the star midfielder remains in doubt after hurting his collarbone against Richmond three weeks ago.
“He’s running but not doing any contact at this stage,” Mitchell said.
“He was pleased we won so it gives him a chance.
“We’ll have some training Monday, Tuesday and see how he’s progressing.”
Source Agencies
